A. Beginning with the 2005-2006 school year, and each year thereafter, the State Board of Education shall identify public schools with low student achievement in mathematics at the middle school level, subject to a limit of one school selected per school district each year. Each school selected shall be provided a middle school mathematics laboratory which includes a complete education software and hardware system that delivers standards-based, prealgebra and algebra content using an interactive computer education teaching system for middle school level students. No school shall be eligible to receive a mathematics laboratory more than once. The number of schools selected each year shall be determined based on the total amount of funds available and the number of computers necessary for a class of students at each qualifying school site.

B. The State Board of Education shall select a vendor on a competitive bid basis to provide the middle school mathematics laboratory as described in this section. The contract shall include all equipment, software, training, and maintenance. The vendor selected shall utilize a curriculum that meets the guidelines for scientifically based research as determined by the United States Department of Education and aligns with the Priority Academic Student Skills as adopted by the State Board of Education.

C. The State Board of Education shall develop eligibility criteria for schools to qualify for a mathematics laboratory pursuant to this section, annually evaluate and report to the Legislature and Governor on the effectiveness of this program, and adopt rules to implement the provisions of this section.

Added by Laws 2005, c. 432, § 3, eff. July 1, 2005. Amended by Laws 2007, c. 332, § 1, eff. July 1, 2007.